CLUB HISTORY

The history of soccer in North Delta

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To give a factual history of soccer in Delta we have to go back to the year 1959. There was a youth team playing out of Ladner called “Delta Thistles”. The coach of the team was Bob Allison. This team played exhibition games in Richmond – the George Massey Tunnel was not yet built, the only means of transportation between Delta and Richmond was by ferry. This one team had aroused the interest of youth in Delta, so much that a group of soccer minded people decided to canvas the schools in Delta for ten and eleven year old boys who wished to play this great game. The result of the canvassing realised enough applications to form four Division 7 and four Division 6 teams. Among these first applications was one ten year old called Tony Chursky who subsequently played for the Canadian National Team.

 

1961 – Formation of the Delta Juvenile Soccer Association

The founders were:

• Bob Gough (Chairman)

• Bob Allison

• Herb Betts

• Jimmy Lawrence

• Harry White

For the next six years the North Delta, Ladner and Tsawwassen areas were controlled by this Board.

Board Chairmen 1962-1966

• 1962 – Bob Allison (Chairman)

• 1963 – Dave Telford

• 1964 – Dave Telford

• 1965 – Dave Telford (North Delta’s Don Watts Div. 5 team won the Provincial Championship.)

• 1966 – Warren Pready

 

 

North Delta Soccer Club – 1960s

1967

In 1967 the three soccer areas became autonomous. The North Delta Soccer Club in its present form was born.

Ron Bateman was the first President of the Club.

1968

George Graveson, President. Seven teams from the Peace Arch area were admitted as members of the club to ensure them a place to play. Jim Hilder Div. 6 Provincial Champions.

1969

Archie McLeod, President. Succeeded in mid term by Bob Burnett. The seven Peace Arch teams returned to their own area to form the 4th autonomous Club in Delta District. Girls Field Hockey Club was formed under the auspices of North Delta Soccer Club.

North Delta Soccer Club – 1970s

1970

Bob Bunnett, President. This year was the year of the floodlights at the boys club ground. Many attempts had been made in previous years to obtain floodlights. The frustrations concerning financing of the facility had been many and varied; however this year of 1970, by dint of a great effort by club members and the cooperation of Gus Gunderson, the dream of our Club was realized – a total of $22,000.00 was raised by the raffling of a car, dances, donations of money and work by well wishers.

1971

Joe Van Vliet, President. This was the year that three $100 Scholarships were struck. The Committee for this was Evelyn Hartman, Bill Edwards, Stan and Joan Archibald, Herb Betts.

1972

Joe Van Vliet, President. At this point in our development we had 1,000 boys playing in North Delta. It was decided that the North Delta Coaching School be established with Mike Moore as its head. It was also decided that a second set of floodlights would be required. A further fund raising drive was instituted to this end. Also this year significant development had taken place in that an additional Division had been added, commonly called the “FUN LEAGUE” or Division 11. These players were six years old. One Division 3 boy and one responsible adult were placed in charge of these teams.

1973

Herb Betts, President. The fun league was expanded to 8 teams and during the most inclement weather played in Delview Gym. This was the first time that the 5-aside was used for these young players.

1974

Herb Betts, President. Six teams attended the Prince George Tournament. The idea was to help and encourage the fledgling Soccer Association in Prince George. The first North Delta Summer School took place. “Buzzy” Parsons and Tony Chursky attended as instructors, both of whom were N.A.S.L. and Canadian National players. 120 soccer balls were presented to every member of Division 11. Girls Field Hockey Club was terminated due to shrinking registration.

1975

Pete Blackwell, President. The first 6-aside outdoor program for 6 year olds was instituted. John Salvona’s Div. 5 United Provincial Cup Finalists.

1976

Bob Teljeur, President. Mackie Park floodlights were officially opened; this also included a Soccer Fitness circuit – cost to the Soccer Club $11,000 approx. The 6-aside outdoor program was extended to include 5 year olds commonly called Div. 12. Sammy Saundh and Steve Watts Div 5 United Provincial Cup Champions.

1977

Tom Millar, President. John Salvona’s Div 3 United Provincial Cup Champions. Steve Watt Div 6 United Provincial Cup Finalists.

1978

Tom Millar, President. Sammy Saundh’s Div 6 United Provincial Cup Finalists and “Most Sportsmanlike Team” award.

1979

Bob Bunnett, President. Registration now up to 1,500 boys. Gary & Steve Watts Div 3 United Provincial Cup Champions and the “Most Outstanding Team” award. Brian Jakeman’s Div 4 United Provincial Cup Champions.

North Delta Soccer Club – 1980s

1980

Joe O’Flynn, President. Gary & Steve Watts Div 2 United Provincial Cup Champions, Canadian Champions, North American Finalists and “Most Outstanding Team” award. Sammy Saundh’s Div 5 United Provincial Cup Champions.Ron Dirksen, Div 2 United named “Sun Tournament Soccer Boy”. Ron is the first boy representing North Delta to achieve this honour. Ricky Anderson, Div 5, named “Sun Soccer Boy Runner-Up”. This is another first for North Delta.

1981-1982

Joe O’Flynn – President. Registration up to 1,700 boys. 1st Annual North Delta Soccer Club Book. Gary & Steve Watts Div 1 United Provincial Cup Finalists. Tom Millar’s Div 6 United Provincial Finalists. Dave Scherle, Div 1 United voted “Sun Tournament Soccer Boy”.

1982-83

Dominic Murphy, President. Steve Ogden’s Div 7 United (Under 11) Provincial Champions.

1983-84

Dominic Murphy, President. Steve Ogden’s Div 6 United Sun Cup Finalists. Peter McCullough’s Div 2 United Sun Cup Finalists.

1984-85

Jim Hockley, President. Don Reeves Div 7 United Sun Cup Finalists. 1st year Metro. Keith Pryor’s Div 1 DYSA Sun Provincial Cup Finalists. Dave Berry’s Div 2 DYSA Sun Provincial Cup Finalists.

1985-86

Jim Hockley, President. Succeeded in mid-term by Rob Sutton. Steve Ogden’s DYSA Div 4 Provincial Cup Champions.

1986-87

Rob Sutton, President. Jamie Horvath’s Div 5 United Provincial “B” Cup Finalists. Carlo Marini is “Safeway Soccer Boy” 87 Div DYSA Provincial “A” Cup Tournament. New Club jackets introduced.

1987-88

Rob Sutton, President. Frank Keay’s Div 7 United Provincial “A” Cup Finalists. Ron Dirksen”s Div 4 United Provincial “B” Cup Champions. John Mantei’s Div 2 Provincial “B” Champions. 300 soccer balls given to all “Mini” soccer players at “Funds for Field” wind-up.

1988-89

Dinis Mateus, President. $30,000 committed for Sands Field redevelopment. John Sneddon’s DYSA Div. 4 Provincial “A” Cup Finalists. Brian Jakeman’s Div. 1 United Provincial “B” Cup Finalists. Ron Dirksen’s Div. 3 United Provincial “B” Finalists.

1989-90

Dinis Mateus, President. Succeeded in mid-term by Garth Cuthbert. Started work on two new all – weather grass fields at Sands/ Gray (108th & 80th Avenue). Jamie Horvath’s DYSA Div. 3 team won Coastal and Provincial “A” Cup, Neil Wilkinson’s DYSA Div. 2 team won Coastal and Provincial “A” Cup, John Mantei’s DYSA Div. 5 team won Coastal and Provincial “A” Cup, and Pat Colgan’s Div. 5 United Provincial “B” Cup, Coastal and Provincial Champions. Jevon Crocker selected to BCYSA All-Star team.

North Delta Soccer Club – 1990s

1990-91

Garth Cuthbert, President. New fields at Sands/Gray opened. Wayne Trafton’s Div. 7 United Provincial “A” Cup, Coastal Finalists.

1991-92

Garth Cuthbert, President. Bill Lean’s Div. 7 United Provincial “A” Cup Coastal Finalists. Pat Colgan’s Div. 3 United Provincial “B” Cup, Coastal and Provincial Champions. Aaron Keay is “Safeway Soccer Boy” in Provincial “B” Cup.

1992-93

Hope Hibbert, President. Peter Mattoo’s U12 United Provincial “A” Cup Coastal and Provincial Champions. Fred Wells U14 United Provincial “B” Cup Coastal Finalists. Steve Ogden’s U13 Royals Provincial “B” Cup, Coastal Champions and Provincial Finalists.

1993-94

Hope Hibbert, President. Wayne Trafton’s DYSA U14 Provincial “A” Cup, Coastal and Provincial Champions. Fred Wells/John Gaull U15 United Provincial “B” Cup, Coastal Champions and Provincial Finalists.

1994-95

Jan Lean, President (first female). Bill Lean’s U12 United Provincial “A” Cup, Coastal and Provincial Champions & “Provincial Fair Play” Award. Phil Scott U19 United Provincial “B” Cup, Coastal Finalists and qualified for Provincial “B” Cup tournament.

1995-96

Jan Lean, President. The Club membership passed and instituted a new constitution and updated policies. The club was officially certified as a Non Profit Making Society, under the Society’s Act. Ron Bunting’s U14 United Provincial “B” Cup, Coastal and Provincial Champions.

1996-97

Jan Lean, President. After many years of discussions with council, the Mackie Clubhouse Extension, complete with meeting room, was built. The first N.D. Soccer Newsletter was published. A Thirty Fifth Annual Celebration Banquet was held at the Sheraton in Guildford to recognize 35 years of soccer in N. Delta and the 30 year existence of our Club. The Mayor Beth Johnson was in attendance, together with 18 former Presidents and founder members. The Club introduced its Summer Soccer School, Head Coached by Bill Lean. Andy Burns’s DYSA U15 Provincial “A” Cup Coastal and Provincial Finalists.

 

1997-98

Bill Lean, President. Succeeded in mid term by Nola Jardine. The new Chalmers field was opened by Mayor Beth Johnson. The club executive voted to name the Mini Jamboree “The Herb Betts Mini Jamboree” and the Select portion of the Rep Tournament “The Beth Arnold Select Tournament.” The membership voted to change the Scholarships to 3 x $500. Gunther Cienciala’s U12 United Provincial “A” Cup, Coastal and Provincial Champions. Gord Frampton’s U19 United Provincial “B” Cup Finalist. Bill Lean’s U14 Selects, Nike Western Canadian Finalists and represented B.C. in the Nike Canadian Nationals.

1998-99

Nola Jardine, President. North Delta Soccer joined the technology era by starting its own web site www.northdeltasoccer.com. This site was developed by Derek Kingston and is also being maintained by him. The Club also started to develop its museum. Garry Wilson’s U14 Selects Provincial “A” Cup, Coastal Champions and Provincial runners up. U14 Selects also recognized as the “Nike Most Valuable Team”. Nathan Li, U14 Selects named as the “Nike Tournament Soccer Boy.” Gunther Cienciala’s U13 United Provincial “A” Cup, Coastal and Provincial Champions. John Gaull’s U19 United Provincial “B” Cup, Provincial Champions.

1999-2000

Bill Lean, President. The club was the first Soccer organisation in the Province to open their new Museum. Conceived by Bill Lean and put together by Herb Betts and Bill Lean, it was officially opened by Mayor Jackson in July. Garry Wilson’s U15 Selects Provincial “A” Cup, Coastal Champions and Provincial runners up. Gunther Cienciala’s U14 Selects Provincial “A” Cup, Coastal and Provincial runners up, also recognized as the “Nike Most Sportsmanlike Team”.

North Delta Soccer Club – 2000s

2000-01

Jim Matheson, President. Garry Wilson’s U16 Selects team were Coastal “A” Cup runners-up, Provincial “A” Cup Champions, and Canadian National Club Champions.

2001-02

Jim Matheson, President. Ron Bunting’s U17 Selects were Coastal “A” Cup champions and Provincial “A” Cup runners-up. Groundbreaking ceremony for synthetic turf field at Mackie Park.

2002-03

Merv Hynds, President. Grand opening of our long-awaited synthetic turf field at Mackie Park on September 7, 2002. Gunther Cienciala’s U17 Selects were Coastal and Provincial “A” Cup champions.

2003-04

Merv Hynds, President. November 22, 2003 – Bill Lean, Jan Lean, Dominic Murphy and Joe O’Flynn were added to the Honour Roll.

2004-05

Merv Hynds, President. Scott Murray’s U15 United team were Provincial “B” Champions.

2005-06

Merv Hynds, President. 1980-81 ND Selects team coached by Steve Watts inducted into Delta Sports Hall of Fame.

2006-07

John McGrandle, President.

2007-08

John McGrandle, President. Grand opening of Delsom turf field was held on March 29, 2008. Bob Bunnett inducted into Delta Sports Hall of Fame.

2008-09

John McGrandle, President.

2009-10

John McGrandle, President. Ajit Braich hired as Club Head Coach. Beth Arnold, George Graveson, Jim Matheson and Judi Plant were awarded Honorary Life Memberships in North Delta. 2000-2001 ND U16 Selects team coached by Garry Wilson was inducted into Delta Sports Hall of Fame.

North Delta Soccer Club – 2010s

2010-11

John McGrandle, President. Brett Planzer’s U15 United team were Provincial “B” Cup champions. Bill Lean was inducted into the Delta Sports Hall of Fame.

2011-12

John McGrandle, President. Dean Bates’s U18 United team were Provincial “B” Cup champions. North Delta joined South Fraser FC as a Regional partner within the Premier League. Keith Kelly hired as Mini Head Coach.

2012-13

Ryan Galovich, President. Celebrating 50 years of soccer in North Delta. A 50th Anniversary Celebration was held September 22, 2012. John McGrandle, President. Dean Bates’s U18 United team were Provincial “B” Cup champions. North Delta joined South Fraser FC as a Regional partner within the Premier League. Keith Kelly hired as Mini Head Coach. Mayor Lois Jackson and MLA Guy Gentner attended. Judi Plant and Beth Arnold worked hard on updating and cleaning up the “Soccer Museum” display at Mackie Clubhouse for the event. The club history (this document), photos and Club President’s gallery were uploaded to the website.

2013-14

Ryan Galovich, President. After careful consideration and review of trends happening in other clubs, NDSC votes through an Extraordinary General Meeting to create a new “General Manager” paid position to guide the growth and development of North Delta Soccer Club and to oversee/manage all paid staff. The position was advertised and a hiring committee was formed. Ryan Galovich was the successful candidate. Ryan resigned the President position to Jim Matheson, Vice President, and started as NDSC’s first General Manager March 1st, 2014.   Yaw Osei hired as staff coach mainly to oversee U8 – U10 Prospects programs.  September 2013 Tim Horton’s named as minis programs sponsor.  Delta Coastal Selects kicks off as MSL (Metro Select League) representative for Coastal FC (Peace Arch), NDSC, Ladner and Tsawwassen clubs.

2015 (March)

Jim Matheson, Acting President.

Thank you to Judi Plant

History Text and scanned images on this page and other history pages courtesy of Judi Plant. Thank you Judi!!